RAF E-7 Wedgetail Programme

Debate between Cameron Thomas and Mark Francois
Wednesday 16th July 2025

(1 week, 3 days ago)

Westminster Hall
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Cameron Thomas Portrait Cameron Thomas
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The reduction in the number of Wedgetails, which seems to have been a mistake, feels very reminiscent of the coalition Government’s cutting of the Nimrod programme despite having already spent billions of pounds on it. That left us without a maritime patrol aircraft, and we had to go cap in hand to the French and the Americans for our—

Mark Francois Portrait Mr Francois
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It didn’t work.

Cameron Thomas Portrait Cameron Thomas
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I thank the right hon. Member. It left us with a gap in our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. I accept that that was a coalition issue, but I am glad to hear that there is consensus in this room on the importance of ISR capability.